General information about NSF programs may be found in the NSF Guide to Programs. Additional information about special requirements of individual NSF programs may be obtained from the appropriate Foundation program offices. Information about most program deadlines and target dates for proposals appears in the NSF Bulletin. The Bulletin is issued monthly except July and August, and gives key dates on grant proposals due at NSF for the next four months. The October Bulletin gives key dates for an entire year. (NSF programs that do not have a specific deadline or target date are not listed in the Bulletin. Most of these programs will accept proposals any time during the year.) Program deadline and target date information also appears in individual program announcements. Lists of deadlines and target dates also are available electronically on the NSF home page at https://www.nsf.gov/.

 NSF generally utilizes grants in support of research and education in science, mathematics and engineering. In cases where an assistance project requires substantial NSF technical or managerial involvement during the performance period, NSF uses cooperative agreements. While this Guide is generally applicable to both types of assistance awards, cooperative agreements may include different or additional requirements.

Informal information about NSF activities can be obtained on the Grants Bulletin Board. To make arrangements to access the bulletin board, send your electronic mail address along with your complete name, address and telephone number to grants@nsf.gov.

 For detailed information about the award and administration of NSF grants and cooperative agreements, proposers and grantees may refer to the NSF Grant Policy Manual (GPM) (NSF 95-26) or to Chapter VI of title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Manual is a compendium of basic NSF policies and procedures for use by the grantee community and NSF staff and is available by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. GPO subscription prices and terms are subject to change without notice.

 The NSF documents referenced above, including all forms contained in the GPG, may also be accessed electronically. (See inside cover.)

 NSF programs fall under the following categories in the latest Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration:

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